DE102020128852A1 - Method, device, computer program and computer-readable storage medium for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

In a method for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle, a functional unit (20) is provided with first input data. The functional unit (20) is designed to determine the suggestion information. Request information is determined by means of the functional unit (20) as a function of the first input data and the suggestion information. The request information is made available to a control unit (30) by means of the functional unit (20). The control unit (30) uses the request information to determine whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant. If the control unit (30) determines that the suggested information is to be made available to the vehicle occupant, the control unit (30) sends a control command to the functional unit (20) to make the suggested information available. Depending on the control command, the functional unit (20) sends a provision command to provide the suggested information for presenting the suggested information to the vehicle occupant.

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle. The invention also relates to a device for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle. The invention further relates to a computer program and a computer-readable storage medium for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

A vehicle may provide a vehicle occupant with a suggestion to perform a vehicle function to operate the vehicle. Furthermore, modern vehicles can have a large number of different vehicle functions.

An object on which the invention is based is to create a method that contributes to a safe and automated control of the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle. In addition, a corresponding device, a corresponding computer program and a computer-readable storage medium are to be created.

The object is solved by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous configurations are characterized in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the invention is distinguished by a method for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

According to the first aspect, the suggestion information is representative of a suggestion for executing a vehicle function for operating the vehicle. First input data is provided to a functional unit. The first input data is representative of information relating to the vehicle occupant and/or information relating to the vehicle and/or information relating to an environment of the vehicle. The functional unit is designed to determine the suggestion information. Request information is determined by means of the functional unit as a function of the first input data and the proposal information. The request information is representative of a request for providing the suggestion information. The request information is made available to a control unit by means of the functional unit. Depending on the request information, the control unit determines whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant. If the control unit determines that the suggested information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant, the control unit sends a control command to the functional unit to provide the suggested information. Depending on the control command, a provision command for providing the suggested information is sent by means of the functional unit in order to present the suggested information to the vehicle occupant.

The method according to the first aspect can also be used for providing the suggestion information to one or more occupants of the vehicle. For example, the method for providing the suggestion information to the multiple vehicle occupants is extended accordingly.

The vehicle can have a digital language assistant. The digital voice assistant is designed, for example, to execute a spoken command from the vehicle occupant and/or to answer a spoken question from the vehicle occupant. In addition, the digital speech assistant can also be designed to conduct complex spoken dialogues with the vehicle occupant and to try to appear as natural or human as possible during such a dialogue with regard to the perception of the vehicle occupant, for example by imitating human behavior. This can include, for example, a recognition of wishes and/or needs of the vehicle occupant. For this purpose, the vehicle can have an interaction unit. For example, the provision command can be sent to this interaction unit. The interaction unit can also be referred to as a user interface (so-called “user interface”). For example, the interaction unit includes one or more input devices and/or one or more output devices.

A respective output device can be a display device of the vehicle, such as a head-up display (so-called “head-up display, HUD”) and/or a touch-sensitive display device (so-called “touch display”) of the vehicle or the like and/or include a speaker of the vehicle or the like. A respective input device can include the touch-sensitive display device of the vehicle and/or any control element of the vehicle and/or a microphone of the vehicle or the like.

The digital language assistant is designed to interact with the vehicle occupant depending on the interaction unit.

This allows the vehicle occupant to remain comfortably in the vehicle. In particular, if the vehicle occupant is a driver of the vehicle, the digital voice assistant can support him in operating the vehicle and/or in operating the vehicle functions. For example, this can include the suggestion for the execution of the vehicle function at a specified point in time. If the suggestion is made available to the vehicle occupant independently of a previous request by the occupant, the suggestion can also be referred to as a proactive suggestion. For example, the method according to the first aspect is particularly advantageous if the suggestion information is representative of a proactive suggestion.

The vehicle function for operating the vehicle can include any vehicle function of the vehicle. The suggestion information may be representative of any suggestion regarding the execution of the vehicle function.

Providing the suggestion information to the vehicle occupant can also be referred to as presenting the suggestion information to the vehicle occupant. The provision can in particular include an acoustic provision, a visual provision, and a combination thereof. The acoustic provision includes, for example, a predetermined sound pattern and/or spoken information by the digital voice assistant. Furthermore, the provision can be made discreetly or dominantly with regard to perception by the vehicle occupant.

For example, the suggestion information includes a predetermined set of possible responses by the vehicle occupant. A possible response can be made by means of a user input from the vehicle occupant depending on the interaction unit, in particular the input device. The possible response may be representative of an acceptance of the proposal and/or a rejection of the proposal and/or a voiced command to provide further information regarding the proposal.

The provision of the suggestion information can also be interrupted by a timeout (so-called “time-out”) and/or an interruption (so-called “interrupt”), such as a display of a camera image from a reversing camera of the vehicle on the output device depending on the engagement of a reverse gear of the vehicle and/or an incoming call. Such an interruption may require the vehicle occupant's full attention.

For example, the suggestion information is representative of a suggestion for an activation and/or a deactivation and/or an adjustment of the vehicle function or the like. For example, the suggestion information is representative of an indication to take a break when operating the vehicle over a longer period of time. In particular, the suggestion information can in this case include location information that is representative of a corresponding resting place, such as a nearby parking lot or the like.

The method according to the first aspect makes it possible to enable the provision of the suggestion information to be controlled in a secure and automated manner. Furthermore, this makes it possible to use the control unit to centrally control the determination of whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant. This is particularly advantageous compared to a method in which the functional unit is used to determine whether the suggested information is to be made available to the vehicle occupant. Furthermore, this enables a scalable expansion of the method according to the first aspect with regard to the provision of a plurality of suggestion information items, each of which is representative of an execution of a respective vehicle function. For example, this can relieve a number of functional units that are designed to determine the number of suggested items of information.

The first input data can include any sensor data and/or actuator data or the like of the vehicle or can be determined as a function of these.

For example, the first input data are made available to the control unit. The control unit uses the first input data to determine whether the suggested information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

The interaction unit provides the control unit with availability information which is representative of the availability of the respective output devices of the interaction unit. The availabilities relate to whether a respective output device is available or not available for providing the suggestion information, for example because other suggestion information is already available this or another output device is provided or the like. Depending on the availability information, the control unit determines whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

This makes it possible to use the control unit to determine whether the suggestion information can be provided to the vehicle occupant as a function of the respective output devices. Furthermore, this makes it possible to use the control unit to determine one of the output devices for providing the suggestion information. The control unit can thus be used as a central instance for checking the availability of the respective output devices of the interaction unit.

The determined output device can be determined depending on the first input data and/or the request information. For example, the request information includes information about which of the output devices is suitable for providing the suggestion information. This makes it possible to determine the determined output device according to the vehicle function represented by the suggestion information.

For example, the control command includes information regarding the determined output device. For example, the provision command includes the information regarding the determined output device. In this case, the suggestion information is displayed as a function of the information relating to the determined output device. The provision command can be received by the interaction unit.

The presentation of the suggestion information can include the acoustic provision as well as the visual provision, as well as a combination thereof. For example, the display of the suggestion information can also include a vibration of a steering wheel of the vehicle and/or be dependent on the interior lighting of the vehicle.

Following the presentation of the suggestion information, feedback information can be provided to the control unit. The feedback information is representative of a vehicle occupant's response and/or reaction to the provision of the suggestion information. The feedback information can be determined by the interaction unit. The feedback information can first be provided to the functional unit and forwarded by it to the control unit.

For example, the feedback information can be determined as a function of or based on the timeout and/or the interruption. In this case, the timeout can be representative of a lack of interest on the part of the vehicle occupant with regard to the suggestion represented by the suggestion information.

The control unit can thus be used as a central entity for collecting feedback information. As a result, an analysis and/or a determination of an optimization potential can be carried out by the control unit, in particular at runtime. The control unit can, so to speak, “learn” depending on the feedback information.

For example, suggested density information can be provided to the control unit. The suggested density information is representative of a predetermined amount of provision of suggested information to the vehicle occupants in a predetermined period of time. The proposed density information can be determined by the control unit and adapted adaptively, for example as a function of feedback information provided earlier and/or the first input data or the like. Depending on the suggested density information, the control unit determines whether the suggested information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

This makes it possible to use the control unit to control the provision of the suggestion information in such a way that the vehicle occupant's stay in the vehicle is made comfortable.

For example, depending on the request information and/or the first input data and/or the availability information and/or the suggested density information, the control unit determines whether the suggested information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

In addition, the determination as to whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant can also take place as a function of a user input from the vehicle occupant. As a result, a user setting of the vehicle occupant can be taken into account. For example, the user input is representative of enabling a "do not disturb" setting, thereby manually disabling provision of the suggestion information.

The method according to the first aspect can, for example, influence the attention of the vehicle occupant and/or Road safety can be increased when operating the vehicle.

According to an optional refinement of the first aspect, further request information is provided to the control unit. The additional request information is representative of a request to provide additional suggestion information. Depending on the request information and the additional request information, the control unit determines whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

The further suggestion information is representative of a suggestion for an execution of a further vehicle function for operating the vehicle. The further suggestion information and the further request information are determined, for example, by a further functional unit.

This makes it possible to scale the method according to the first aspect as desired and to expand it for a large number of vehicle functions for operating the vehicle. Furthermore, this makes it possible to avoid providing suggestion information that correlates in terms of content. This is particularly advantageous compared to the method in which the provision of the suggested information is determined by means of the functional unit and the provision of further suggested information is determined by means of the further functional unit.

For example, the contextual correlation is representative of the fact that the suggestion information and the further suggestion information are representative of redundant executions of the vehicle function and/or of a redundant elimination of a need, such as “boredom”.

The further request information or the further suggestion information can have the same properties as the above-mentioned request information or the above-mentioned suggestion information.

According to a further optional refinement of the first aspect, the request information includes first time information. The first piece of time information is representative of a first point in time at which the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant. If it is determined by the control unit that the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant, the suggestion information is provided to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle at the first point in time.

This makes it possible to determine by means of the control unit, depending on the first time information provided by the functional unit, whether the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant at the first point in time. It is thus possible to avoid making it available in a critical time period and/or at a critical point in time, such as for example while the vehicle occupant is making a phone call and/or while the vehicle is being operated in an acceleration lane on a freeway.

The critical time period and/or the critical point in time can be determined, for example, as a function of the first input data.

For example, the additional request information includes additional time information. This makes it possible to avoid providing suggestion information that correlates in time. For example, the temporal correlation is representative of the fact that at the further point in time provision of the suggestion information has not yet been completed or the like. A simultaneous and/or temporally overlapping provision of the suggestion information and the further suggestion information can thus be prevented.

According to a further optional refinement of the first aspect, the request information includes impact information. The impact information is representative of an impact on a current condition of the vehicle occupant. The effect on the current state of the vehicle occupant can be caused by the execution of the vehicle function according to the suggestion information. Depending on the request information, the control unit determines whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant by first specifying a target status information item. The target state information is representative of a predetermined target state of the vehicle occupant. In addition, status information is determined as a function of second input data. The status information is representative of a current status of the vehicle occupant. Depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

The current state of the vehicle occupant includes a current emotion of the vehicle occupant and/or a current situation regarding the vehicle occupant.

For example, the current emotion is representative of "tiredness", "boredom", "tense heit”, “stress” or the like. For example, the current situation is representative of a need of the vehicle occupant and/or for a specified period of time until arrival at a specified destination when operating the vehicle or the like.

The predetermined state of the vehicle occupant includes a predetermined emotion of the vehicle occupant and/or a predetermined situation relating to the vehicle occupant. The predefined state of the vehicle occupant is representative of an optimal state of the vehicle occupant with regard to their emotion and/or situation. The specified state of the vehicle occupant can be specified statically or dynamically. For example, this is specified by a development engineer. The predefined state of the vehicle occupant can be predefined specifically for the respective vehicle occupant or for a group of people to which the vehicle occupant belongs.

This makes it possible to enable the control unit to be controlled in an orchestrating manner. Furthermore, this makes it possible to determine whether the suggested information should be provided to the vehicle occupant such that when the vehicle function is executed according to the suggested information, a current state of the vehicle occupant essentially corresponds to the predefined target state of the vehicle occupant.

Furthermore, a deviation of the current state from the predefined target state of the vehicle occupant can be determined.

In this way, for example, the current emotion of the vehicle occupant can be continuously improved when the method is executed iteratively compared to the method in which the provision of the suggested information is determined by means of the functional unit. Furthermore, this can contribute to the satisfaction of the vehicle occupant when operating the vehicle. As a result, the attention of the vehicle occupant can be influenced and/or traffic safety can be increased when operating the vehicle.

The second input data is representative of further information relating to the vehicle occupant and/or further information relating to the vehicle and/or further information relating to the surroundings of the vehicle. The second input data has the same properties as the first input data mentioned above. The second input data can be identical to the first input data. Alternatively, they are not identical.

The second input data is determined in particular as a function of an interior camera of the vehicle and/or a thermal imaging camera of the vehicle and/or an infrared camera of the vehicle and/or an acoustic sensor of the vehicle or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the second input data is representative of interactions of all vehicle occupants of the vehicle, such as driving behavior of the vehicle occupant and/or interaction of the vehicle occupant with the interaction unit or the like.

The additional information relating to the surroundings of the vehicle includes, for example, traffic density and/or information relating to a traffic situation or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the second input data is representative of a parameter when operating the vehicle, such as a predicted time until arrival at the specified destination compared to an appointment entry in a calendar of the vehicle occupant or the like.

Additionally or alternatively, the second input data is representative of a traffic situation to be expected and/or a significant change in weather conditions to be expected in a geographic region in which the vehicle is operated.

The current situation with regard to the vehicle occupant is representative of all of the information contained in the second input data.

The effect on the current state of the vehicle occupant includes an effect on the current emotion of the vehicle occupant and/or an effect on the current situation regarding the vehicle occupant. In particular, the impact according to the impact information is representative of an expected impact on the current condition of the vehicle occupant.

The effect represented by the effect information can be static or dynamic. The impact information can be provided specifically for the respective vehicle occupant or for a group of people to which the vehicle occupant belongs.

For example, it is determined in particular that the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle if, based on the current state of the vehicle occupant, the impact formation represented impact on the current state is suitable to essentially achieve the specified target state.

In this case, for example, the feedback information is representative of an actually determined effect on the current state of the vehicle occupant, which was caused by the execution of the vehicle function according to the suggested information. For example, the impact information is adjusted depending on the feedback information.

For example, the additional request information includes additional effect information that is representative of an effect on a current state of the vehicle occupant, which can be caused by the execution of the additional vehicle function according to the additional suggestion information. In this case, depending on the target status information, the status information, the effect information and the further effect information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant. In this case, for example, it can also be determined that the suggested information and the additional suggested information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

For example, the status information can be provided by the control unit of the functional unit. In this case, the functional unit can be used to determine the point in time at which the request information is provided to the control unit.

For example, the respective request information of all functional units of the vehicle or a subset of all functional units of the vehicle is provided at a third point in time. This makes it possible to use the control unit to determine whether one or more pieces of suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant in accordance with the respective request information.

According to a further optional refinement of the first aspect, it is determined, depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information, whether the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant, that second time information is determined depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information. The second time information is representative of a second point in time at which the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant. If it is determined by the control unit that the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant, the suggestion information is provided to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle at the second point in time.

The third point in time is arranged before the second point in time.

This makes it possible, depending on the second time information ascertained by means of the control unit, to determine whether the suggested information should be made available to the vehicle occupant at the second point in time. Provision in a critical time period and/or at a critical point in time can thus be avoided.

The control unit can also use this to determine the second point in time at which the suggestion information was provided.

According to a further optional refinement of the first aspect, preference information is provided to the control unit. The preference information is representative of a vehicle occupant's preference in a particular state for performing a particular vehicle function. Depending on the target status information, the status information, the effect information and the preference information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

This makes it possible to determine whether the suggestion information is to be made available to the vehicle occupant additionally as a function of the preference information.

For example, in a “bored” state, the vehicle occupant has a preference for executing a vehicle function for activating a sport mode of the vehicle.

For example, the preference information can be determined depending on the first input data and/or the second input data.

The method according to the first aspect and its optional refinements can be expanded accordingly for other vehicle occupants of the vehicle.

For example, the method according to the first aspect and its optional refinements is particularly advantageous when it is carried out iteratively.

According to a second aspect, the invention is distinguished by a device for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle. The device is designed to carry out the method for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle according to the first aspect.

According to a third aspect, the invention is characterized by a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle according to the first perform aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention is distinguished by a computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program according to the third aspect is stored.

Optional configurations of the first aspect can also be present correspondingly in the further aspects and have corresponding effects.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings.

• 1 eine schematische Zeichnung einer Vorrichtung 10 zur Steuerung einer Bereitstellung einer Vorschlagsinformation an einen Fahrzeuginsassen eines Fahrzeuges,
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines ersten Programms zur Steuerung einer Bereitstellung einer Vorschlagsinformation an einen Fahrzeuginsassen eines Fahrzeuges, und
• 3 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines zweiten Programms zur Steuerung einer Bereitstellung einer Vorschlagsinformation an einen Fahrzeuginsassen eines Fahrzeuges.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic drawing of a device 10 for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle,
• 2 a flowchart of a first program for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle, and
• 3 a flowchart of a second program for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

Elements of the same construction or function are identified with the same reference symbols across the figures.

the 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a device 10 for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

The device 10 comprises a functional unit 20, a control unit 30, a processing unit 40 and an interaction unit 50. The functional unit 20 has a functional execution unit 21 and a functional control unit 23.

For example, the device 10 is arranged in a vehicle. For example, the vehicle can include a large number of functional units 20 that are designed accordingly.

The function execution unit 21 can be designed to execute a vehicle function for operating the vehicle.

The function control unit 23 can be designed to determine suggestion information that is representative of a suggestion, in particular a proactive suggestion, for executing the vehicle function for operating the vehicle. The function control unit 23 can be designed to determine a piece of request information. The function control unit 23 can be designed to determine first time information.

The processing unit 40 can be designed to ascertain first input data which are representative of information relating to a vehicle occupant of the vehicle and/or information relating to the vehicle and/or information relating to an environment of the vehicle.

The processing unit 40 can be designed to ascertain second input data which are representative of further information relating to the vehicle occupant and/or further information relating to the vehicle and/or further information relating to an environment of the vehicle.

The interaction unit 50 can be designed to display the suggestion information for the vehicle occupant. For example, the interaction unit 50 includes one or more input devices and/or one or more output devices. A respective output device can be a display device of the vehicle, such as a head-up display (so-called “head-up display, HUD”) and/or a touch-sensitive display device (so-called “touch display”) of the vehicle or the like and/or include a speaker of the vehicle or the like. A respective input device can include the touch-sensitive display device of the vehicle and/or any control element of the vehicle and/or a microphone of the vehicle or the like.

The function execution unit 21 is signal-coupled to the function control unit 23 via a first communication connection 61 . The functional unit 20, in particular the functional control unit 23, is processing unit 40 via a second communication link 63 coupled signaling. The control unit 30 is signal-coupled to the processing unit 40 via a third communication link 65 . The functional unit 20 is coupled to the control unit 30 via a fourth communication connection 67 in terms of signals. The functional unit 20, in particular the functional control unit 23, is coupled to the interaction unit 50 via a fifth communication connection 69 in terms of signals. The interaction unit 50 is coupled in terms of signals to the control unit 30 via a sixth communication connection 71 .

The first input data can be made available to functional unit 20 , in particular functional control unit 23 , depending on second communication connection 63 .

The first input data can be provided to the control unit 30 depending on the third communication connection 65 .

The second input data can be provided to the control unit 30 depending on the third communication connection 65 .

The functional unit 20, in particular the functional control unit 23, can send the interaction unit 50, depending on the fifth communication link 69, a provision command for providing the suggestion information.

The function control unit 23 can send the function execution unit 21 an execution command for executing the vehicle function depending on the first communication connection 61 .

The functional unit 20, in particular the functional control unit 23, can provide the control unit 30 with the request information depending on the fourth communication link 67.

The control unit 30 can send a control command to the functional unit 20, in particular the functional control unit 23, depending on the fourth communication connection 67 in order to provide the suggestion information.

The interaction unit 50 can provide the control unit 30 with availability information depending on the sixth communication connection 71 .

The interaction unit 50 can provide feedback information to the functional unit 20 , in particular the functional control unit 23 , depending on the fifth communication link 69 .

Functional unit 20, in particular functional control unit 23, can provide feedback information to control unit 30 as a function of fourth communication link 67.

Each of the aforementioned units can be designed as a hardware unit and/or as a software unit. Furthermore, each of the aforementioned units can be formed in one or more structural units.

the 2 shows a flowchart of a first program for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

In particular, the first program can be executed by a first device. For this purpose, the first device has in particular a first computing unit, a first program memory and a first data memory, and, for example, one or more first communication interfaces. The first program memory and first data memory and/or the first arithmetic unit and/or the first communication interfaces can be embodied in one structural unit and/or distributed over a plurality of structural units.

The first device can also be referred to as a device 10 for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

For this purpose, in particular the first program is stored in the first program memory and first data memory of the first device.

The first program is started in step S101, in which variables can be initialized if necessary.

In a step S103, the functional unit 20 is provided with first input data. The first input data is representative of information relating to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle and/or information relating to the vehicle and/or information relating to an environment of the vehicle.

In a step S105, request information is determined by means of functional unit 20 depending on the first input data and suggestion information. The request information is representative of a request for providing the suggestion information.

Functional unit 20 is designed to determine the suggestion information. The suggestion information is representative of a Vor Suggestion for executing a vehicle function for operating the vehicle.

In a step S107 the request information is provided to the control unit 30 by means of the functional unit 20 .

In step S107, the request information optionally includes first time information. The first piece of time information is representative of a first point in time at which the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant.

In an optional step S109, the control unit 30 is provided with further request information. The additional request information is representative of a request to provide additional suggestion information.

In a step S111, the control unit 30 uses the request information to determine whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

If this is the case, the processing of the first program is continued in a step S113. Otherwise, the processing of the first program is continued in an optional step S115 or ended in a step S119.

The control unit 30 is provided by the interaction unit 50 with availability information which is representative of the availability of the respective output devices of the interaction unit 50. The control unit 30 determines, depending on the availability information, whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

For example, the availability information is representative of the fact that the vehicle's loudspeaker is not available due to a telephone call. For example, the availability information is representative of the fact that the vehicle's display device is deactivated and therefore not available.

Suggested density information is determined by means of the control unit 30 .

For example, depending on the request information and the first input data and the availability information and the suggested density information, the control unit 30 determines whether the suggested information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

Optionally, in step S111, the control unit 30 uses the request information and the further request information to determine whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

In step S113, the control unit 30 sends the function unit 20 a control command to provide the suggestion information.

Optionally, in step S113, the control command is sent such that the suggestion information is provided to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle at the first point in time.

In a step S117, depending on the control command, the function unit 20 sends a provision command for providing the suggested information for presenting the suggested information to the vehicle occupant.

Optionally, in step S117, feedback information is determined by the interaction unit 50 following the presentation of the suggestion information. The feedback information is representative of a vehicle occupant's response and/or reaction to the provision of the suggestion information.

Optionally, an execution command is determined in step S117 following the presentation of the suggestion information by means of the functional unit 20 depending on the feedback information. Depending on the execution command, the vehicle function for operating the vehicle is executed.

In the optional step S115, a further control command is sent to the functional unit 20 by means of the control unit 30, which is representative of the fact that the suggestion information should not be made available to the vehicle occupant. For example, the additional control command includes the availability information.

Following step S117 or step S115, the first program is ended in step S119 and can optionally be started again in step S101.

the 3 shows a flowchart of a second program for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

In particular, the second program can be executed by a second device. For this purpose, the second device has in particular a second arithmetic unit, a second program memory and a second data memory, as well as, for example, one or more second communication interfaces. The second program and second Data memory and/or the second computing unit and/or the second communication interfaces can be embodied in one structural unit and/or distributed over a plurality of structural units. The second device can also be referred to as a device 10 for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle.

For this purpose, in particular the second program is stored in the second program memory and second data memory of the second device.

The second program is particularly suitable for an iterative execution. For example, the iterative execution of the second program is representative of an ongoing process.

The second program is started in step S201, in which variables can be initialized if necessary.

Steps S203 and S205 are executed corresponding to steps S103 and S105 of the first program.

In a step S207, the functional unit 20 provides the request information to the control unit 30.

Optionally, in step S207, the request information includes impact information. The impact information is representative of an impact on a current condition of the vehicle occupant. The effect on the current state of the vehicle occupant can be caused by the execution of the vehicle function according to the suggestion information.

For example, the impact information includes a plurality of first characteristic values. A respective first characteristic value is representative of a respective effect, which can be caused by the execution of the vehicle function according to the suggested information, on a respective predefined target state. For example, a set of states is specified, in particular by a development engineer.

For example, according to the suggestion information, the vehicle function is representative of a first vehicle function for playing music or news. The effect that can be caused by the execution of the first vehicle function is particularly advantageous when the current state of the vehicle occupant is representative of "boredom" according to the state information.

For example, according to the suggestion information, the vehicle function is representative of a second vehicle function for seat massage. The effect that can be caused by the execution of the second vehicle function is particularly advantageous if the current state of the vehicle occupant is representative of "stress" according to the state information.

For example, according to the suggestion information, the vehicle function is representative of a third vehicle function for target route adjustment. This would be advantageous, for example, in the case of a specified target state that is representative of "timely target achievement".

An optional step S209 is executed corresponding to the optional step S109 of the first program.

In an optional step S211, the control unit 30 is provided with preference information. The preference information is representative of a vehicle occupant's preference in a particular state for performing a particular vehicle function.

In a step S213, target state information is specified. The target state information is representative of a predetermined target state of the vehicle occupant.

For example, the target state information includes a plurality of second characteristic values. A respective second characteristic value is representative of a respective predefined target state with regard to a respective one of the predefined states.

In a step S215, status information is determined as a function of second input data. The status information is representative of a current status of the vehicle occupant.

For example, the status information includes a number of third characteristic values. A respective third characteristic value is representative of a respective current status according to the status information with regard to a respective one of the predefined statuses.

In a step S217, depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant.

For example, step S217 in the ongoing process is executed quasi-permanently.

If this is the case, the processing of the first program is continued in a step S219. Otherwise, the processing of the first program is ended in a step S223.

Step S219 can be expanded according to step S111 of the first program.

For example, the availability information is provided to the control unit 30 by means of the interaction unit 50 . Depending on the availability information, the control unit 30 determines whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant.

For example, suggested density information is determined by the control unit 30 .

Second time information is optionally determined in step S217 depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information. The second time information is representative of a second point in time at which the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant. For example, this can be extended as part of the iterative execution of the second program in such a way that it is essentially continuously determined at which point in time the suggested information is to be made available to the vehicle occupant. This can also be referred to as quasi-permanent execution.

Optionally, in step S217, depending on the target status information, the status information, the effect information and the preference information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant.

In step S219, a control command for providing the suggestion information is sent to the function unit 20 by means of the control unit 30 .

Optionally, in step S219, the control command is sent such that the suggestion information is provided to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle at the second point in time.

A step S221 is executed corresponding to the step S117 of the first program.

Optionally, in step S221 the feedback information is representative of an actually determined effect on the current state of the vehicle occupant, which was caused by the execution of the vehicle function according to the suggestion information. For example, the feedback information for deriving knowledge about the provision of the suggestion information can be carried out more purposefully and/or more effectively in a further execution of the second program. The control unit 30 can, so to speak, “learn” depending on the feedback information. Such “learning” can take place individually depending on the vehicle and one or more occupants of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, such “learning” can take place depending on a number of other vehicle occupants of respective other vehicles (so-called “crowd learning” or “crowd-based learning”). For this purpose, for example, corresponding further, possibly anonymous, feedback information can be provided. For example, the effect information is adjusted by means of the functional unit 20 and/or the control unit 30 depending on the feedback information.

Following step S221, the second program is ended in step S223 and can optionally be started again in step S201.

The execution of the second program can enable control of the control unit 30 to have an orchestrating effect. The sequential implementation of the second program described above can also be adapted accordingly. For example, the steps of the second program can be executed in such a way that it is continuously determined when the suggestion information is to be made available to the vehicle occupant. For example, the control unit 30 is provided with all request information, which represents respective suggestion information, of all functional units of the vehicle and the control unit 30 determines when the vehicle occupant or multiple vehicle occupants should be provided with which suggestion information. The execution of the second program can be initiated or triggered in different ways. For example, this can be done depending on a cyclic timer (so-called “timer”) and/or depending on a change in an environmental variable of the vehicle and/or depending on a change in an emotion of the vehicle occupant and/or depending on a change in an input parameter of the vehicle and /or depending on the availability of a vehicle function of the vehicle and/or depending on exceeding or falling below one or more threshold values self-managed by control unit 30 and/or depending on the expiry of a reminder timer self-managed by control unit 30 (so-called "resubmission timer") and /or the expiration of another timer (so-called "timer").

The environmental variable and/or the emotion and/or the input parameter can be part of the first input data and/or the second input data.

Claims (9)

A method for controlling the provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle, the suggestion information being representative of a suggestion for executing a vehicle function for operating the vehicle, in which - a functional unit (20) is provided with first input data, the first input data being representative of information relating to the vehicle occupant and/or information relating to the vehicle and/or information relating to an environment of the vehicle, the functional unit (20) being designed for this purpose is to determine the suggestion information, - by means of the functional unit (20) a request information is determined depending on the first input data and the proposal information, wherein the request information is representative of a request to provide the proposal information, - the request information is provided to a control unit (30) by means of the functional unit (20), - It is determined by means of the control unit (30), depending on the request information, whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant, - if it is determined by the control unit (30) that the suggested information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant, a control command for providing the suggested information is sent to the functional unit (20) by means of the control unit (30), - Depending on the control command by means of the functional unit (20), a provision command for providing the suggestion information is sent to present the suggestion information for the vehicle occupant. procedure after claim 1 , in which - the control unit (30) is provided with further request information, the further request information being representative of a request for the provision of further suggestion information, - by means of the control unit (30), depending on the request information and the further request information, it is determined whether the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the request information comprises a first piece of time information which is representative of a first point in time at which the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant, and in the method if it is determined by the control unit (30) that the suggestion information to be provided to the vehicle occupant, the suggestion information is provided to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle at the first point in time. Procedure according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , wherein the request information comprises an impact information representative of an impact on a current condition of the vehicle occupant, wherein the impact can be caused by the execution of the vehicle function according to the suggestion information, and in the method by the control unit (30), depending on the Request information is determined as to whether the suggestion information is to be made available to the vehicle occupant, such that - target status information is specified which is representative of a predefined target status of the vehicle occupant, - status information is determined as a function of second input data, the status information being representative of a current status of the vehicle occupant, - depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupants. procedure after claim 4 , in which, depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information, it is determined whether the suggestion information should be made available to the vehicle occupant, such that - depending on the target status information, the status information and the effect information, second time information is determined which is representative of a second time at which the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant, and - if it is determined by the control unit (30) that the suggestion information is to be provided to the vehicle occupant, the suggestion information is provided to the vehicle occupant of the vehicle at the second point in time. Procedure according to one of Claims 4 or 5 in which - the control unit (30) is provided with preference information which is representative of a preference of the vehicle occupant in a respective state for the execution of a respective vehicle function, and - depending on the target state information, the state information, the effect information and the preference information is used to determine whether the suggestion information should be provided to the vehicle occupant. Device (10) for controlling a provision of suggestion information to a vehicle occupant of a vehicle, which is designed to use the method according to one of Claims 1 until 6 to perform. Computer program, the computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of Claims 1 until 6 to perform. Computer-readable storage medium on which the computer program claim 8 is saved.

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